ILLINOISE Reviews — Page 6

Saw this last night and absolutely loved everything about it. I am a big fan of Sufjan Stevens but I don't think you need to be to get onboard and enjoy the story telling. To me the story telling was very clear. I'm actually glad I read the "journal/insert" after the show. It gave a bit more insight into Henry's journey but I think if I had read it before, blindly, I wouldn't really understand it. The cast is stunning! I was a bit bummed that I wasn't going to get to see Robbie Fairchild but Brandt Martinez was fantastic and actually a performer I couldn't stop watching. The vocals are so good and the sound design was perfect. The moments when the orchestra kicks in you feel it to your core. This isn't a musical for everyone and while I think it deserved the nomination I don't think it is actually the best "musical". I will definitely make a trip back for a second viewing...something I rarely do. I was sat in the orchestra about 8th row on the aisle, an amazing view. The action is all mostly played down stage and center so even if you are on the sides I can't imagine you would miss much except for maybe having visuals on the vocalists who are a level up flanking both sides of the stage.

I love Robbie Fairchild, and his performance in ILLINOISE was excellent. I saw it twice at Bard last summer, and have to say that as wonderful as Robbie was and is - I missed Brandt Martinez in this. He brought a warmth and spirit into the show through his performance that felt galvanizing to the community it represents that I missed in his absence.

Thanks so much everyone! I did digital rush on today tix today and it was so easy. Got House left H25 all the way on the side. I couldn't see the male singer and I couldn't see a pivotal scene with Brandt on top of a building (don't want to spoil it).
I thought it was a beautifully acted dance piece. I struggle to believe it will win best musical. I think it's very subjective. I personally didn't love it, nor do I think it should be considered a 'musical' in every sense of the word, but of course, it can be argued. I think Brandt and Ricky definitely were snubbed for tony nods.

Does anyone dislike this thing or is just total love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match the raves posted here or from the critics.

Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

Thats's theater. In the same space, watching the same show someone is having their life changed while the person next to them might be losing the will to live. Apples and Oranges. I LOVED "Illinoise".

Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I didn’t like it at the Armory. The two folks I was with also didn’t care for it, so you’re definitely not alone.

I haven’t seen it on Broadway, but one of my biggest issues was that it felt swallowed up by the Armory space - which also resulted in some sound issues (in that it mostly sounded like loud mush) - so I do wonder if the change of venue would soften my opinion. I also wasn’t wild about the choreography or the story, so probably not much, honestly.

ColorTheHours048 said: "Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I didn’t like it at the Armory. The two folks I was with also didn’t care for it, so you’re definitely not alone.

I haven’t seen it on Broadway, but one of my biggest issues was that it felt swallowed up by the Armory space - which also resulted in some sound issues (in that it mostly sounded like loud mush) - so I do wonder if the change of venue would soften my opinion. I also wasn’t wild about the choreography or the story, so probably not much, honestly."

I’m glad I saw it on Broadway and I’m very glad I saw it from the best seat in the house (front row of the mezzanine, dead center, which made me feel like IT was swallowing ME up), but yeah, I wasn’t wild about the story or choreography either.

hork said: "Matt Rogers said: "Does anyone dislike this thing or is justtotal love? I recently saw it and my opinion definitely does not match theraves posted here or from the critics."

I wouldn’t say I disliked it, per se, but I definitely didn’t like it. It felt like a weird pantomimed production of Godspell a lot of the time."

I felt I was at some sort of dance school finals or something, not a Broadway show. About 5 or 6 people walked out from the performance I attended. I tried hard to understand the appeal, but this show is not for me (no plot, no character development, no story). Glad I paid very little.

Updated On: 5/2/24 at 11:49 AM

I think far house right is better than far left. You will likely miss seeing half the band/singers. You will, however, be able to see the billboard, which changes. I can't imagine that any of the dance performance will be obstructed.

Listener said: "Is Mezzanine Front Right, seat 28 a good view?

Hearingthat someone had a left side seat 25that was an obstructed view and caused themto miss certain moments makes me wonder...

Thanks for the advice from those who've sat in that area!"

a) It would be helpful if you tell us which row(s) you're asking about. Almost every row in every section has a "seat 25" and a "seat 28".

b) You can go to A View From My Seat and see exactly what the sightlines are from those locations.

https://aviewfrommyseat.com/venue/St.+James+Theatre/

I saw this eloquent heartbreaker yesterday. In addition to Movin' Out, Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake sprang to mind, the corralling and unleashing of male energy in dance to express a limitless emotional range. I'm simply haunted: a ballet, a full throttle concert of a beloved album*, a hybrid piece of theatrical storytelling all at once. Passionately danced, the precision in the performance, exquisite. Even having read reviews, I was startled by the many surprises, in the conceived narrative and its remarkably cogent execution.

The August 10 close is regrettable; many dance aficionados not able to visit NYC till later this year might seize this experience if it held on through the fall. Lucky to score superb orchestra seats during the brief window the matinee was available on TDF. “All things go, all things go” indeed.

*I can't get over the musical integrity in those album-preserving arrangements, the openings of the songs triggering memories of multiple hearings, and that wall of lush melody rushing from the St. James stage.

Updated On: 5/5/24 at 10:33 AM

I feel the same way. I think it IS the best new musical, by far - but fear it won't be recognized as such. In addition the lack of acting noms (and even the placement of Ubeda in supporting) are harbingers of that, and I think it being a limited run also harms it.



I'm jonesing to get back to the show, but am unsure if I can make it happen before the end of July - and even then I'll have to do some arm twisting of my companion. (But I'm already planting seeds.)

ALL the feels.

Updated On: 5/5/24 at 11:01 AM